The Lynx team is known for its professionalism and responsiveness within the rapidly evolving energy sector. The team’s strength stems from its mix of nationalities, life experiences and educational backgrounds.

Cyrille Costes

President

Throughout his 20-year career, Cyrille Costes has remained at the heart of the energy investment and trading markets, living and working in Asia, Africa, Russia, Turkey and Europe.

Before founding Lynx, he was Group President for Business Development and a board member for the Mercuria Energy Group. From the mid-90s until 2005, he held a number of posts at Total Oil Trading, with responsibility for the West Africa desk and business development in emerging markets. He also pioneered the company’s trading operations in the CIS.

Mr Costes holds a master’s degree in English from Paris Sorbonne University. He also earned a master’s in Political Science from the Institute of Political Studies in Strasbourg (IEP – Strasbourg) and an MBA from the HEC Paris School of Management.

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Franck Blais

Vice President

Before co-founding Lynx, Franck Blais worked on the business development team at Mercuria Energy Group. Leading up to his time at Mercuria, he managed a range of activities at BNP Paribas and Africa Merchant Bank (Fortis Group), from financing independent oil and gas companies to restructuring debts for national oil companies and M&A activities in the upstream sector.

Earlier, Mr Blais was part of Total Trading’s finance department. There he oversaw risk management and credit for the Group’s energy trading activities. He started his career at Bankers Trust in Paris.

Mr Blais holds a business degree in Economics and Finance from the IFP School, a Master’s in Science Geophysical Engineering from Northwestern University Chicago, and an engineering degree from the Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics (School of Public Works) in Paris.

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Cédric Costes

CEO

Cédric Costes came to Lynx with over 15 years of experience in the aerospace, security and defence sectors, primarily in the Southeast Asian and African markets.

Mr Costes spent 3 years as President of Thales International Africa; he was responsible for the P&L of 7 companies and supported by a team of over 1,000 people based in 10 countries.

Previously, Mr Costes spent 8 years within the EADS Group, first as Eurocopter Sales Director for Southeast Asia, and then as Vice President Asia & Pacific of EADS International.

He started his career as Deputy Regional Director for OGA Conseil International in Islamabad; he then moved on to become the company’s Deputy Vice President for the Asia Pacific region.

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Donatien Mpika

Head of Lynx Energy Trading Congo

Donatien Mpika came to Lynx with a rich background in management and international relations. He has served as Technical Consultant to the Congolese Presidency’s Minister of Defence. Mr Mpika was also Consultant to the Congolese Presidency’s Minister responsible for co-operation, humanitarian aid and solidarity.

Prior to joining Lynx, he held a number of senior-level and management positions that dealt with sustainable development and the environment in companies such as Dépollution Biologique Environnement (DBE), where he was Director.

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Ariane Grenon

Head of the Administrative and Financial Department,

Ariane Grenon is based on the Lynx Energy Partners Geneva Office and oversees the Administrative and Financial Department. Over the past 15 years, she has developed a strong expertise in tax and business law, holding a number of positions mainly in Switzerland.

Prior to joining Lynx, Ms Grenon was Group Tax Co-ordinator for Mercuria Energy Trading. Her responsibilities were global in scope, including oversight of indirect and direct taxation, due diligence for Group acquisitions and management of the employee shareholding plan. She has worked for several other companies in the tax and business law arena, including Deloitte and the Python & Peter law practice in Geneva advising Swiss and International Companies.

Ms Grenon earned a Master of Advanced Studies in Business Law from the University of Geneva.